The Paris 2024 Olympic flame embarked on its journey to France aboard the three-masted ship “Belem” from the port of Piraeus on Saturday. This marks the final sprint of preparations leading up to the Olympic Games opening ceremony on July 26.
The ship is set to arrive in Marseille on May 8 after an 11-day voyage. Marseille, founded by Greek settlers around 600 BC, will host the Olympic sailing competitions and serve as the starting point for a 68-day French torch relay across the country.
An estimated 150,000 spectators are expected to attend the ceremony at the Old Port of Marseille. The last torch bearer will climb on the roof of the Velodrome stadium on May 9 before the relay concludes in Paris on July 26 with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron along the Seine river.
Organizers are planning a spectacular opening ceremony, with 160 boats carrying athletes traveling a six-kilometer route towards the Eiffel Tower. Around 300,000 spectators will watch from the banks, while a global audience tunes in on TV.
Security measures are tight, with the Games taking place amidst conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. The French government has requested assistance from 45 foreign countries to provide additional military, police, and civilian personnel to ensure the safety of the Paris Olympics.
The journey of the Olympic flame symbolizes the unity and spirit of the Games, bringing together athletes and spectators from around the world in a celebration of sport and camaraderie.